A high-level Sudanese delegation headed by Investment Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail arrived on Friday to explore investment opportunities for Saudi investors in Sudan that will pave the way for food security in the Kingdom.

Abdul Hafez Ibrahim, Sudanese ambassador in Riyadh, told Arab News on Thursday: "The minister will be accompanied by a delegation of high-ranking officials, including Mohammed Taher Aila, governor of Red Sea state in Sudan, and they will participate in a bilateral meeting and two-day workshop at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI)."

RCCI Chairman Abdul Rahman Al-Zamil leads the Saudi side while Saudi businessman Saleh Al-Kamil also will attend the bilateral meeting to review the investment opportunities in Sudan in the wake of new investor-friendly laws, especially for sectors like agriculture, poultry and animal husbandry that suit the food security initiatives of the Kingdom, the envoy underlined.

Moreover, seeking investment in six free trade zones in Sudan within the framework of the strategy of his ministry to encourage Saudi investment in the country in accordance with the new investment law, the minister and his accompanying delegation will update the Saudi investors and private stakeholders on the introduction of advantages and guarantees granted by Sudan government to foreign investors," Ibrahim said.

The minister will also explain the advantages of the six free zones, including the customs and tax exemptions and freedom to transfer capital and profits abroad, and seek attention to utilize this investment opportunity to promote economic ties between the two countries, he said, adding that the free zones also offer various investment activities such as manufacturing, importing, re-exporting, leasing and warehousing.

Pointing to recent constitutional amendments, which gave the Sudanese president powers of granting lands for investment purposes, the envoy asserted that Sudan's new investment-friendly law addressed 37 obstacles, which used to hinder foreign investment in the country before.

"I am sure it will pave the way for smart partnership between the Kingdom and Sudan," the envoy stated. He added that while interacting with the Saudi businessmen at the RCCI, the visiting delegation will also discuss news areas of cooperation between the two countries.

Notably, the trade exchange between the Kingdom and Sudan amounts to more than $4 billion.

The Sudanese economy was hit hard since July 2011, when the southern part of the country declared independence taking with it about 75 percent of the country's oil output.